Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield and Ollie Henry face tests for Sydney clash as Cam Guthrie to miss

Patrick Dangerfield said himself he was raring to go to face Sydney. But will he return? Plus, an unlucky Cats midfielder is set for more time on the sidelines.

Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield and exciting forward Ollie Henry remain in contention to face Sydney but will need to be passed fit with their respective hamstring injuries

Dangerfield has been sidelined since round seven with his second hamstring blow of 2024 and has been in full training for the past fortnight.

Coach Chris Scott has lauded his condition on the track in recent weeks and said on Saturday night it would be “tempting” to bring the blistering midfielder back for their important clash with the Swans.

Dangerfield is clearly eager to return, declaring on 3AW on Sunday: “My plan is next week and if you say it publicly it puts pressure on the medicos. Hoping next week and it’s been main training for a couple of weeks now.”

Henry was put on ice in the second quarter after struggling with what Geelong assistant football boss Brett Johnson described as hamstring awareness.

But luckless midfielder Cam Guthrie will spend another fortnight on the sidelines with an achilles issue and is expected to be back for Geelong’s clash with Carlton after their bye.

Guthrie has played just four of Geelong’s last 30 AFL games, with a troublesome toe injury last season, a quad blow on the eve of the season and now an achilles setback.

Patrick Dangerfield suffered his hamstring blow against Carlton in round seven. Pucture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

“Dangerfield has been training with the team for close to two weeks now, so he’ll be a test later this week,” Johnson said.

“Ollie was subbed off during the game on the weekend with some hamstring awareness. His function was slightly limited during the game which was the reason for subbing him out, therefore he’ll be a test to play this week as well.”

“Cam is tracking well; he’s had a minor flare up with his achilles post game in Darwin, and he is still a week away. With the bye after the Sydney game, we anticipate Cam being available.

Ruckman Rhys Stanley made a successful return in the VFL after missing one match with a knee tweak. recording 21 hit-outs, 10 disposals and nine contested possessions in a half of gametime.

The Cats have managed youngster Toby Conway through where they can and could look to give him a rest after three consecutive games with in-form Swan Brodie Grundy looming.

Meanwhile., developing Geelong ruckman Mitch Edwards is available to play his first game since the Cats took him with pick 32 in last year’s draft.

But Barwon Heads bolter Oli Wiltshire will miss the next month with a pelvis injury.

“It’s fantastic news for Mitch, he’s an exciting talent and we look forward to seeing him play this weekend,” Johnson said.

“Oli has had a bit of a setback; he originally had the thumb issue which kept him out from playing early, and since then, he’s had some issues with his pelvis ongoing,” Johnson said.

“He hasn’t been quite able to get on top of it, and it just requires a bigger block of conditioning and pelvic stability work to set him up for success in the back half of the year.”

Originally published as Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield and Ollie Henry face tests for Sydney clash as Cam Guthrie to miss